Lagerstroemia indica plant named ‘Whit XI’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Lagerstroemia indica , commonly known as crapemyrtle, named ‘Whit XI’, particularly distinguished by having a unique complex of highly modified sepals on a network of large, loose panicle-like structures. The plant does not produce flowers. The leaves are simple, alternate with a smooth margin, typical of the species. Young leaves emerge slightly crimson-green, maturing to dark green. Inflorescences are comprised of a network of irregular stem structures terminating in highly modified panicles with highly modified sepals, at first light purple in color, darkening with age to a darker purple and finally to brown. The inflorescences grow in a network over the surface of the plant and appear and function somewhat like normal flowers. As the modified sepals age they turn brown, but at the same time the panicle continues to grow slowly, producing new sepals light purple in color, which continues the appearance of flowering.

Genus, species: Lagerstroemia indica.

Varietal denomination: ‘WHIT XI’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety or cultivarof the ornamental shrub, Lagerstroemia indica, commonly known ascrapemyrtle.

Description of the Related Art

Lagerstroemia indica is native to the eastern foothills of the Himalayanmountains in China and has been in cultivation in North America sinceabout 1786. Initially only seedlings were grown, then it was discoveredthat asexual propagation was possible, giving rise to an assortment ofcultivars.

Crapemyrtle flower on new growth with the onset of summer's heat andfull sunshine. Typical flowering begins in late June or early July underOklahoma conditions, followed by production of seed capsules, with nofurther flowering until seeds are mature.

In the USA, an assortment of seedlings have been selected, givenvarietal names and introduced into the nursery trade. Criteria forselection have been flower color, size of panicles, and other growthfeatures, and resistance to powdery mildew and in recent years,Cercospora leaf spot disease.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The plant of the present invention is a new and distinct variety ofcrapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which has been given the cultivarname ‘Whit XI’ and is characterized by a unique complex of highlymodified sepals on a network of large, loose panicle-like structures.The plant does not produce flowers.

The new sterile crapemyrtle variety claimed herein, which has been giventhe cultivar name ‘Whit XI’ is a never seen before unique seedling, mostlikely a naturally occurring variant or mutant seedling from a block ofabout 14,000 seedlings planted in 2016, which were 21 generationaldescendents from the original parent used to begin this research in1986.

This new and distinct crapemyrtle was asexually propagated by softwoodcuttings taken from the original ‘Whit XI’ plant near Stillwater, Okla.The asexually reproduced plants show all of the unique features thatcharacterize this crapemyrtle. As a further test, cuttings were takenfrom the asexually propagated plants. These secondary cuttings rootedand grew the same as the parent, indicating that the unique features ofthis plant are stable through successive generations of asexualreproduction.

Leaves are simple, alternate with a smooth margin, typical of thespecies. Young leaves emerge slightly crimson-green, maturing to darkgreen and have remained free of both powdery mildew and Cercospora leafspot.

Inflorescences are comprised of a network of irregular stem structuresterminating in highly modified panicles with highly modified sepals, atfirst light purple in color, darkening with age to a darker purple andfinally to brown. The inflorescences grow in a network over the surfaceof the plant and appear and function somewhat like normal flowers. Asthe modified sepals age they turn brown, but at the same time thepanicle continues to grow slowly, producing new sepals light purple incolor, which continues the appearance of flowering. Late in the growingseason, new sepals cease to form, then the overall appearance shifts toa dark purple, then finally brown.

There are no flowers on the plant.

Emergence of the complex panicle network occurs in mid-summer, similarto typical crapemyrtle cultivars and remain attractive in Oklahoma for40 to 60 days or longer depending on growing conditions and moisture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a full color photographic view of our new and highly unusualcrapemyrtle plant ‘Whit XI’ at an age of three years from seedgermination showing dense growth habit with flower-like panicles at theterminals of most branches and disease free dark green foliage.

FIG. 2 is a full color photographic view of our new crapemyrtle plant‘Whit XI’ at an age of three years from seed germination showing acomplex network of panicle-like structures at the ends of most branchescreating a flower-like appearance.

FIG. 3 is a full color photographic view of our new crapemyrtle plant‘Whit XI’ at an age of three years from seed germination showing thecomplex of younger purple modified sepals having been produced at theends of panicle like structures and older brown and shriveled sepalsbelow.

FIG. 4 is a full color photographic view of our new crapemyrtle plant‘Whit XI’ at an age of three years from seed germination showing severalof the highly modified panicle-structures supporting highly modifiedsepals with dense dark green disease free leaves below.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following botanical description is of the new and distinct cultivarof crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica, which has been given the cultivarname, ‘WHIT XI’. Specific color designations set forth by numberdesignations are in accordance with The Royal Horticultural SocietyColour Chart (1966). General color recitations are consistent withordinary American color terminology.

-   The plant:    -   -   Type.—Deciduous woody shrub with multiple stems and dense            branching.        -   Classification.—Crapemyrtle, Lagerstroemia indica.        -   Growth habit.—The plant produces multiple stems creating a            dense, upright shrub.        -   Origin.—In 1986, seed from one crapemyrtle plant was            collected and planted. The resulting seedlings that showed            signs of powdery mildew were culled, and seeds from the            remaining few plants were planted to obtain another            generation of seedlings. Following about eight generations,            the number of seedlings culled due to powdery mildew was            very small and in more recent seedling generations none have            shown susceptibility to powdery mildew. This procedure            continued until a population of about 14,000 seedlings            planted in 2016 were 21 generations from the original            crapemyrtle. This procedure is estimated to have involved            approximately 700,000 seedlings. The plant named ‘WHIT XI’            is unlike any crapemyrtle among the large numbers of            seedlings grown, unlike the original crapemyrtle, and unlike            other known crapemyrtle plants. More specifically, ‘Whit XI’            cultivar is unlike any of its parents, grandparents,            great-grandparents, etc. back 21 generations. ‘Whit XI’            grows and looks like other crapemyrtle seedlings early in            the growing season, however, when other plants begin to form            panicles of flowers, ‘Whit XI’ produces a totally novel            network of highly modified panicles and what appear to be            sepals.        -   Propagation.—The plant is easy to propagate from softwood            cuttings under intermittent mist with the distinguishing            characteristics of the asexually propagated offspring            remaining identical to the parent.        -   Size and shape.—Growth of crapemyrtle, ‘Whit XI’ cultivar in            an open field near Stillwater, Okla. is a multiple stemmed,            upright shrub with a growth rate of 12 to 18 inches in            height per year and 12 to 18 inches or more in spread per            year. At 3 years of age, the plant had a height of approx.            28 inches and a spread of approx. 24 to 28 inches. It is            estimated that crapemyrtle ‘Whit XI’ cultivar may reach a            height of 6 to 8 feet with a spread of 4.5 to 6.0 feet. The            estimated size of the plant is based on the observed three            years of growth of ‘Whit XI’.        -   Hardiness.—The new variety of crapemyrtle has withstood            temperatures in the field near Stillwater, Okla. of about            0 F. with no injury.        -   Pests and disease.—Highly resistant to powdery mildew and            Cercospora leaf spot which in recent decades has become a            major problem on crapemyrtle. Crapemyrtle cultivar ‘Whit XI’            has retained a full complement of leaves to the end of the            growing season while adjacent seedlings in the same row have            been severely damaged by Cercospora disease.-   The flowers:    -   -   Blooming period.—The plant produces no flowers. However,            emergence of the unique complex of highly modified sepals on            a network of large loose panicle-like structures begins in            mid July in North Central Oklahoma and remain attractive for            40 to 60 days, depending on weather conditions and moisture.        -   Petals.—None, as there are no flowers.        -   Inflorescences.—A network of large, loose, panicle-like            structures supporting a network of highly modified sepals            that create the appearance that the plant is covered with            small flowers.        -   Stamens.—None.        -   Sepals.—Sepals are irregularly dispersed across the outer            portions of the network of large, loose, panicle-like            structures. Emergence of sepals are approximately            greyed-purple group 187-D or C, then during the growing            season, sepals shrivel and turn brown, approximately 177-B            or C, but with a progressing development of new sepals that            are 187-D or C, (see FIG. 3 for visual details). As the            season progresses, and with no new sepal production, the            network of highly modified large, loose, panicle-like            structures darken to approximately 187-A or B (see FIG. 1            for visual details).        -   Buds.—This plant, ‘Whit XI’, does not produce flower buds,            but transitions from vegetative growth to this most peculiar            network of large, loose, panicle-like structures. As such,            there is no notable and observable bud to describe.        -   Seeds.—No flowers or seed capsule-like structures are            produced.-   The foliage:    -   -   Leaf shape.—Leaves are simple, sessile, alternately arranged            on the stems and ovate to obovate in overall form and either            obtuse or mucronate at the apex with a herring-bone venation            pattern, glabrous and with a smooth margin.        -   Leaf color.—Leaves emerge slightly crimson-green            approximately 197-C or D, maturing to approximately 139-A or            B on both upper and lower leaf surfaces including vein color            on upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blade.        -   Leaf texture.—Leaves are glabrous on both upper and lower            surfaces.        -   Leaf size.—Leaf size ranges from about 1.25 to 2.25 inches            long by 1.0 to 1.5 inches wide.-   The branches and bark:    -   -   Branch color.—Branches are about 177-C or D when young,            transitioning to about 177-A or B at maturity.        -   Branch length.—Early season branches are typically about 6            to 12 inches long, while mid-summer branches are about 4 to            8 inches depending on season and growing conditions.        -   Branch diameter.—Branch diameter ranges from about ⅛ to ¼            inch diameter.        -   Bark.—Smooth when young, soon developing shallow ribs or            lines parallel with the stem with age and about 177-A, B or            C.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of crapemyrtle plant,Lagerstroemia indica, substantially as illustrated and described.